Automatic bullet feeding mechanism

ABSTRACT

An automatic bullet feeding mechanism for feeding one bullet at a time into a cartridge casing. The bullet feeding mechanism includes a drop tube that is moveably mounted within an outer sleeve. A pair of cooperating catches are operative to engage and hold a stack of bullets within the drop tube and to release one bullet at a time, the released bullet dropping down into the underlying cartridge casing. To actuate the pair of cooperating catches, the cartridge casing to be filled is moved into engagement with the drop tube and moves the drop tube within the outer sleeve. The movement of the drop tube causes an actuator assembly to operate the pair of cooperating latches which in turn results in one bullet from the stack falling through the drop tube into the underlying cartridge casing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to bullet reloading machines andmore particularly to an automatic bullet feeding mechanism that may forma part of such reloading machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] As pointed out in U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,687, mechanical devices forautomatically or semi-automatically reloading spent pistol or rifleshell casings are well known and have been used for many years.Basically, such mechanical reloading devices typically perform asequence of operations including: depriming of the spent shell casing,repriming of the casing, delivering gunpowder to the reprimed shellcasing, inserting a bullet within the shell casing, and mechanicallycrimping or sealing the upper end of the shell casing once a bullet hasbeen appropriately seated therein.

[0003] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,687, there is disclosed an automaticbullet feeding mechanism that is adapted to be used within a reloadingmachine. This automatic feeding mechanism includes a pair of cooperatingcatches that are operative to hold a stack of bullets within astationary drop tube and to release one bullet at a time from the stack.Once released, the bullet falls through the drop tube and into anunderlying shell or cartridge casing.

[0004] While this automatic bullet feeding mechanism is operative andgenerally successful, the manner of driving or actuating the pair ofcatches may be subject to improvement. Essentially, as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,041,687, in order to actuate the pair of catches, an externalmember or rod of 24 is employed to engage a portion of a lever arm 100.This rod or member 24 would, of course, be driven up and down intoengagement with a portion of the lever arm 100.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention presents an automatic bullet feedingmechanism that is generally actuated by the cartridge casing to befilled. That is, the bullet feeding mechanism is designed such that whenthe cartridge casing to be filled is brought into engagement with thebullet feeding mechanism, the act of engagement results in a singlebullet being released from a stack of bullets, and once released thebullet drops down into the underlying cartridge casing.

[0006] More particularly, the bullet feeding mechanism of the presentinvention includes an axially moveable drop tube that holds a stack ofbullets, one bullet over the other. During the bullet loading operation,the cartridge casing to be loaded is brought into engagement with aterminal end of the drop tube . The bullet casing is then moved intoengagement with the terminal end of the drop tube causing the drop tubeto be moved. The movement of the drop tube triggers the actuation of anactuator assembly which then causes a single bullet from the stack to bereleased and this results in the released bullet dropping through thedrop tube into the cartridge casing.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention revolves around a methodof feeding one bullet at a time from a bullet feeding mechanism into acartridge casing. Here the method comprises holding a series of bulletswithin a drop tube with one bullet stacked over another. The cartridgecasing to be filled is moved into engagement with the drop tube holdingthe bullets and the cartridge casing moves the drop tube causing anactuator assembly to be triggered or actuated. The actuating assembly isoperative to in turn actuate a bullet holding and release mechanism thatis operative to release one bullet at a time. Once a bullet is released,it drops through the tube into the cartridge casing.

[0008] Further, the present invention entails a cartridge casingreloading machine that includes a moveable cartridge casing plate forreceiving and holding at least one cartridge casing. There is provided astabilizer mounted adjacent the cartridge casing plate for engaging andstabilizing a cartridge casing as it moves with the plate.

[0009] More particularly, the present invention entails a cartridgecasing reloading machine of the type that is adapted to dispense abullet into a cartridge casing and to advance that cartridge casing to apoint or position where the cartridge casing is crimped to secure thebullet within the cartridge casing. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the stabilizer is mounted with respect to the plate such thatthe stabilizer engages the cartridge casing and stabilizes the casing asit is being moved toward the position where the casing is crimped tosecured the bullet therein.

[0010] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent and obvious from a study of the following description and theaccompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a reloading machine whichincorporates the automatic bullet feeding mechanism of the presentinvention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the automatic bullet feedingmechanism of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevational view of the bullet feedingmechanism of the present invention shown in a non-actuated state.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a schematic side sectional view of the bullet feedingmechanism of the present invention illustrating a cartridge casinginitiating the actuation of the bullet feeding mechanism.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a schematic side elevational view of the bullet feedingmechanism of the present invention showing a bullet being dropped towardthe underlying cartridge casing.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of acartridge casing reloading machine that includes a rotating plate forholding and advancing cartridge casings through a series of workstations.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the portion of the reloading machineshown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Shown in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical rifle orpistol cartridge reloading machine, generally indicated by the numeral10. Such cartridge reloading machines 10 typically include a supportingframe structure 12. Attached to the frame structure 12 is a hingedactuating lever arm 14, which is further connected to a movable, centralpedestal 16. Disposed atop the pedestal 16 is a rotatably mountedworking platform or plate18. Plate 18 includes a series of seats 142 ,which are each adapted to receive and hold a series of cartridge casings42. Positioned in the top of the frame structure 12 and generally abovethe working platform or plate18 is an upper die plate (not shown). Thisdie plate includes a series of apertures and adapter sleeves 22 fittedtherein, where each associated adapter sleeves 22 corresponds to aparticular station or reloading operation. More particularly, the fivereloading operations include; de-priming of the spent casing, re-primingof the casing, powdering, bullet seating, and crimping of the casing.

[0019] It will be appreciated that during normal operation the workingplatform 18 is rotated through each of the series of positions, witheach position corresponding to a particular reloading station oroperation. Each of the previously mentioned upper die plate aperturesand associated adapter sleeves 22 is configured to receive and secure aparticular instrument or tool that is associated with one of thereloading operations discussed above. For example, one die plateaperture and sleeve 22 is adapted to receive a gunpowder reservoir 26,while another aperture and sleeve 22 is adapted to receive a casingreservoir tube 28.

[0020] Of particular interest is the die plate aperture and sleeve 22that is adapted to secure a bullet feeding mechanism, generallyindicated by the numeral 50, for use in the bullet seating operation. Inthe case of the adapter sleeve 22 that is used to secure the bulletfeeding mechanism 50, it will be appreciated that a set screw (notshown) is employed to insure that the mechanism 50 remains stationarywith the sleeve 22 at all times during normal operation. Furthermore, itshould be appreciated that the actuating lever 14, when engaged orinvoked, is responsible for initiating the various reloading operationsat each of the stations described above.

[0021] The above description generally describes the cartridge reloadingmachine 10 as particularly shown in FIG. 1. General details of thecartridge reloading machine 10 are not dealt with herein in depthbecause such is not per se material to the present invention, andbecause basic cartridge reloading technology is well known andunderstood by those skilled in the art. Further, cartridge reloadingequipment of the general type shown in FIG. 1 and discussed above arecommercially available and are manufactured by various manufacturers,including Lee, Inc. For a more complete and unified understanding ofcartridge reloading machines, one is referred to the disclosures foundin the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,313,869; 5,763,810; 3,610,090;5,179,243 and 4,331,063. All of these disclosures are expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

[0022] Now turning to FIGS. 2-5, the automatic bullet feeding mechanism50 is shown therein. As will be discussed hereafter, the automaticbullet feeding mechanism 50 is designed to be incorporated into thereloading machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 and is operative to dispense onebullet at a time into a cartridge casing 42 that typically would besupported on platform 18 that also forms a part of the reloading machine10. The automatic bullet feeding mechanism 50 is similar in manyrespects to the automatic bullet feeding mechanism disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,041,687. This disclosure is expressly incorporated herein byreference. However, as discussed below, there are differences in thestructure and operation of the automatic bullet feeding mechanism 50disclosed herein. As will be appreciated from subsequent portions ofthis disclosure, the bullet feeding mechanism 50, shown in FIGS. 2-5, isbasically actuated by a cartridge casing 42 being brought intoengagement with the bullet feeding mechanism 50. As will be appreciatedfrom the following disclosure, the cartridge casing 42 is moved intoengagement with a drop tube 52 that forms a part of the automatic bulletfeeding mechanism 50 and the movement of the drop tube 52 by thecartridge casing 42 causes the bullet feeding mechanism to be actuated,resulting in one bullet B being released from a stack of bullets withinthe drop tube and dropping into the underlying cartridge casing 42.

[0023] Turning now to a more detailed discussion of the automatic bulletfeeding mechanism 50, it is seen that the same includes an elongateddrop tube 52. As seen in the drawings, particularly FIGS. 3-5, the droptube 52 is elongated and includes a bullet holding area 52 a. As seen inthe drawings, a series of bullets B are normally stacked one over theother and held within the bullet holding area 52 c, about the upperportion of the drop tube 52. As viewed in FIGS. 3-5, it is noted thatthe drop tube 52 includes a lower terminal end 52 b.

[0024] Drop tube 52 is movably mounted within a base indicated generallyby the numeral 60. As will be appreciated from subsequent portions ofthis disclosure, drop tube 52 is axially movable up and down, as viewedin FIGS. 3-5, with respect to the base 60. The base 60 in the embodimentillustrated herein comprises an outer sleeve or adapter 62. The term“adapter” is used to describe the base or outer sleeve because it isadapted to be received or held within one of the adapter sleeves. Outersleeve 62 includes a lower terminal end 64 and a collar 66, extendingaround the upper portion of the outer sleeve 62. Formed about theexterior of the outer sleeve 62, is a threaded portion 68, that enablesthe entire automatic bullet feeding mechanism 50 to be secured withinone of the adapter sleeves of the reloading machine 10. As pointed outabove, drop tube 52 is axially movable within the outer sleeve 62. Thus,the outside diameter of drop tube 52 is slightly less than the insidediameter of outer sleeve 62. This permits drop tube 52 to fit snugly andsecurely within the outer sleeve 62 but, at the same time, permits droptube 52 to move in an axial direction up and down within the outersleeve 62.

[0025] The automatic bullet feeding mechanism includes a pair ofcooperating catches that are associated with drop tube 52 and whichessentially control the dispensing of the bullets B from the automaticbullet feeding mechanism 50. In particular, the upper catch 70 and lowercatch 72 cooperate to dispense one bullet B at a time from the drop tube52. As seen in FIGS. 3-5, the lower catch 72 is adapted to extendthrough an opening within drop tube drop tube 52 and under the lowermost bullet B the remaining bullets B of the stack lie over and aresupported by the lower-most bullet B and the underlying lower catch 72.Upper catch 70, on the other hand, is designed to engage and hold thebullet B overlying the lower most bullet when the lower catch 72 isretracted so as to permit the lower most bullet to fall downwardlythrough the drop tube 52 as particularly illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0026] As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, lower catch 72 is formed about thelower end of a lever arm 74 that is carried by the drop tube 52. Leverarm 74 is pivotally mounted between a pair of hinged tabs 76 that are,in turn, secured to the drop tube 52. A hinge pin 78 extends through thehinged tabs 76 and the lever arm 74 and thereby permits the lever arm 74to swing back and forth between the positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.The lever arm 74 and the lower catch 72 are biased toward an engagedposition by a spring 80, shown in FIG. 2. Various types of springs canbe utilized to bias the lever arm 74 toward the position shown in FIG.3. However, in the case of the present embodiment, a lightweight coilspring simply extends around the lever arm 74 and around the drop tube52.

[0027] Turning to the upper catch 70, it is seen that the same isdisposed within a holding sleeve 90. Within the holding sleeve 90, uppercatch 70 can move back and forth. An elongated opening 92 is providedwithin the drop tube 52 adjacent the holding sleeve 90. This elongatedopening 92 enables the upper catch 70 to move into the bullet holdingarea 52 a of the drop tube 52. Holding sleeve 90 is mounted on a carrierplate 94 that is adjustable up and down along side the drop tube 52. Ascrew 96 is provided for securing the carrier plate 94 to the outside ofthe drop tube 52. Note however, that the carrier plate 94 includes anelongated opening or slot that enables the carrier plate 94 and theholding sleeve 90 to be adjusted upwardly and downwardly, as viewed inFIGS. 3-5, with respect to the drop tube 52. Since there is provided anelongated opening 92 in the side wall of the drop tube 52, it followsthat the upper catch 70 can be inserted within the bullet holding andreceiving area 52 a at various positions along the drop tube 52. Infact, the adjustment provided for by the screw 96 and the adjustablenature of the carrier plate 94 and holding sleeve 90 enable the distancebetween the upper and lower catches 70, 72 to be adjusted. This enablesthe bullet feeding mechanism 50 of the present invention to accommodatedifferent sizes or calibers of bullets.

[0028] Upper and lower catches 70, 72 are effectively interconnected byan interconnecting linkage 100. This enables the upper and lower catches70, 72 to act in unison. The inner-connecting linkage 100, asparticularly illustrated in FIG. 2, includes a connecting link 102 thatextends from lever aim 74 to the upper catch 72. Note in FIG. 2 that theconnection between the lever arm 74 and the connecting link 102 entailsa pivot connection. That is, the connecting link 102 is pivotallyconnected to the lever arm 74. The opposite end of the connecting link102 includes an end portion that is connected to a connecting block 104.Although not shown, connecting block 104 would preferably include anengagement screw that would enable the connecting link 102 to anadjustably connected at various points to the connecting block 104.Therefore, as seen in FIGS. 3-5, as the lever arm 74 is rotatedcounter-clockwise, the lower catch 72 is moved to the engaged positionwhere it underlies and supports the lower-most bullet B. At the sametime, the connecting link 102 causes the upper catch 70 to be moved fromthe disengaged position to an engaged position with the bullet Boverlying the lower-most bullet and the stack.

[0029] To actuate the upper and lower catches 70, 72, there is providedan actuator assembly indicated generally by the numeral 110. Actuatorassembly 110 includes a fixed member 112 that, in the case of thepresent embodiment, extends upwardly and at an angle from the collar 66secured to outer sleeve 52. In addition, the actuator assembly 110includes a connector 114 that is secured to the lever arm 74 and extendstherefrom where the connector extends around the fixed member 112. Thus,as the drop tube 52 moves upwardly, as viewed in FIGS. 3-5, theconnector 114 tends to ride up the fixed member 112 and consequentlycauses the lever arm 74 to be moved or rotated in a counterclockwisefashion as viewed in FIGS. 3-5. In some respects, the fixed member 112and connector 114 can be compared or analygized to a cam and camfollower. In such a case, the fixed member 112 functions as a cam whilethe connection 114 functions as a cam follower. In any event, as viewedin FIGS. 3-5, it is seen where the actuation or movement of the droptube 52 results in the connector 114 riding up the fixed member 112 and,in turn, causing the lever arm 74 to be rotated counterclockwise. Thisresults in the simultaneous actuation of the upper and lower catches 70,72. Again, as thoroughly discussed in my earlier patent, U.S. Pat. No.6,041,687, the simultaneous actuation of the catches 70, 72 results inthe upper catch 70 engaging and holding the bullet B that lies over thelower-most bullet B when the lower catch 72 is moved to a disengagedposition so as to allow the lower-most bullet B to drop into theunderlying cartridge casing.

[0030] In the present invention, the drop tube 52 is actuated by acartridge casing 42. In fact, the drop tube 52 is actuated by the verycartridge casing to be filled with a bullet B. As already discussed thecartridge casings 42 to be filled are normally disposed on a platform 18that forms a part of a bullet reloading machine. As the bullet reloadingmachine is sequenced through various operating steps, the platform 18rotates and one cartridge casing 42 at a time is aligned with the bulletfeeding mechanism 50. In particular, the cartridge casing 42 to befilled is aligned with the drop tube 52 of the bullet feeding mechanism50. Once this alignment occurs, the platform 18 is moved upwardly and,as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the upper portion of the cartridge casing 42aligns with and engages the lower terminal end 52 b of the drop tube 52.The continued upward movement of the platform 18 results in thecartridge casing 42 pushing the drop tube 52 upwardly. As the cartridgecasing 42 moves upwardly, it is seen that at least a part of the upperportion of the cartridge casing 42 moves into the lower terminal end 64of the outer sleeve 62. In this process, as discussed above, the upwardaxial movement of the drop tube 52 results in the actuator assembly 110being actuated or triggered. Again, this results in the simultaneousactuation of the upper and lower catches 70, 72 which results in onebullet B at a time being dispensed into the cartridge casing 42 disposedat the terminal end of the drop tube 52.

[0031] Once the cartridge casing 42 has received the bullet B, then theplatform 18 is rotated to where another cartridge casing 42 isappropriately aligned with the bullet feeding mechanism 50. Thereafter,the process continues as described above.

[0032] Now turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, a portion of the reloading machine10, or viewed in FIG. 1, as shown therein. Basically, the portion of thereloading machine 10 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 relates to the workingplatform or plate 18 that is, in the case of the present embodiment,rotatably mounted within a frame structure 140. As discussed hereinabove, the rotating plate 18 is adapted to receive a series of cartridgecasings 42 and by rotating the plate 18 these cartridge casings areincrementally advanced through one or more working stations. Forexample, at one point in the cycle of the plate, a cartridge casing 42is delivered onto a seat indicated generally by the numeral 142 formedin the plate 18. Once positioned on the plate 18, the plate is rotatedto a position or point where a bullet B is dropped by the bullet feedmechanism 50 into the cartridge casing 42. From that work station orthat point, the same cartridge casing is advanced by the rotation of theplate 18, to another station where the cartridge casing 42 is crimped soas to secure the bullet B within the cartridge casing 42. Thereafter thecartridge casing and bullet B are further advanced by the rotation orcycling of the plate 18. As used herein, the term “cycle” means onecomplete revolution of the plate 18. It should be pointed out, that anynumber of functions can be performed at certain positions about therotating plate 18. For purposes of the present discussion, the keyfunctions of concern relate to feeding a bullet B into the cartridgecasing 42 and subsequently crimping the cartridge casing 42 to securethe bullet B therein. As will be more fully appreciated from subsequentportions of this disclosure, one aspect of the present invention dealswith stabilizing the cartridge casing 42 and the bullet B therein as thecartridge casing and bullet is advanced from the position where thebullet is dropped into the cartridge casing to the position where thecartridge casing is crimped to secure the bullet B within the cartridgecasing 42. In other words, as the cartridge casing 42 and bullet Badvance from the bullet drop station to the crimp station, it ispossible that the bullet B can fall out of the cartridge casing 42 dueto the movement of the cartridge casing. Therefore, the presentinvention entails a stabilizer indicated generally by the numeral 150which is operative to engage the cartridge casing 42 during at least aportion of the cycle of the plate 18 and stabilize that cartridge casingas it is advanced or moved by the plate 18.

[0033] Referring back to the plate 18, as noted above, the plate 18includes a series of circumferentially-spaced seats indicated generallyby the numeral 142. Each seat 142 includes a lower support surface 144and a surrounding wall 146. As seen in the drawings, particularly FIGS.6 and 7, each cartridge casing 42 includes a base or lower portion, andit is seen that the area of the support surface 144 is greater than thearea of the base of the cartridge casing 42. This means that thecartridge casing 42 can move or slide within the respective seats 142.

[0034] To stabilize the respective cartridge casings 42 as they movewith the rotating plate 18, the stabilizer 150 is mounted to the frame140 and projects into the path of the respective cartridge casings 42.In the embodiment illustrated herein, the stabilizer 150 engages arespective cartridge casing 42 during only a portion of its circularmovement with the rotating plate 18. In other words, the stabilizer 150only engages and stabilizes a respective cartridge casing 42 during aportion of the cycle of the rotating plate 18.

[0035] Viewing the stabilizer 150 in more detail, it is seen that thesame includes a wire. About one end of the wire is formed a curl 152 andthere is provided a screw 154 that extends downwardly through the curl152 into the frame 140. This secures the stabilizer 150 to the frame140. The wire that forms the stabilizer 150, in this embodiment,includes a support segment 156 and a stabilizer segment 158. Note thatthe support segment 156 extends from the curl 152 a selected distance.Then the wire makes an approximate 180 degree turn and the stabilizersegment 158 extends from the 180 degree turn. Note where the stabilizersegment 158 extends over a portion of the rotating plate 18, asparticularly seen in FIG. 7.

[0036] As seen in FIG. 7, at about the four o'clock position, a bullet Bis dropped or inserted into the cartridge casing 42. As the plate 18rotates, the terminal end of the stabilizer segment 158 engages thecartridge casing 42. As the plate 18 rotates, clockwise as viewed inFIG. 7, the cartridge casing slides along the outside of the stabilizersegment 158 of the wire. As the cartridge casing 42 is advanced towardsthe six o'clock position, it is seen that the stabilizer segment 158 ofthe wire tends to push the cartridge casing 42 inwardly to where itengages the sidewall 146 of the respective seat 142. Thus, the cartridgecasing is generally stabilized since the stabilizer segment 158 tends topush the cartridge casing 42 into engagement with the wall 146 of theseat 142. At some point while the cartridge casing 42 is stabilized, thecartridge casing and bullet B are subjected to the crimping operation.As noted above, this crimping operation secures the bullet B into thecartridge casing 42.

[0037] The illustrations in FIGS. 6 and 7 are for illustrative purposesto show how the stabilizer 150 acts on a particular casing 42 during aportion of the cycle of the rotating plate 18. Again it is appreciatedthat the stabilizer 150 can conform to numerous configurations tostabilize a cartridge casing 42 during certain segments of the rotationof the plate 18.

[0038] The present invention may, of course, be carried out in otherspecific ways than those herein set forth without departing from thescope and the essential characteristics of the invention. The presentembodiments are therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrativeand not restrictive and all changes coming within the meaning andequivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embracedtherein.

1. An automatic bullet feeding mechanism for feeding one bullet at atime into a cartridge casing, comprising: a. a drop tube having aninterior chamber for receiving and holding a stack of bullets, one overthe other; b. a lower catch moveably mounted for movement back and forthbetween an engaged position and a disengaged position; c. in the engagedposition the lower catch engaging and supporting the lowermost bullet,and in the disengaged position the lower catch assumes a position thatenables the lowermost bullet to fall past the lower catch; d. the lowercatch forming a part of a lever arm that is pivotally mounted exteriorlyof the drop tube and moveable back and forth adjacent the outside of thedrop tube, and wherein the lower catch extends from a lever arm andmoves through an opening formed in the drop tube as the lower catchmoves between the engaged and disengaged positions; e. an upper catchfor selectively engaging and holding a bullet disposed above thelowermost bullet of the stack when the lower catch assumes thedisengaged position; f. an interconnecting linkage operativelyconnecting the lower catch with the upper catch for moving the twocatches in unison such that as the lower catch is moved from the engagedposition towards the disengaged position the upper catch is movedtowards the engaged position; g. an actuator assembly for actuating saidfirst and second catches in response to a cartridge casing being movedinto a position for receiving a bullet from the bullet feedingmechanism; and h. the actuator assembly including a fixed member fixedrelative to the upper and lower catches and a connector attached to thelever arm and moveably engaged with the fixed member and moveable alongthe fixed member which results in the lever arm moving back and forthand the upper and lower catches moving between the engaged anddisengaged positions.
 2. The automatic bullet feeding mechanism of claim1 wherein the drop tube is moveable up and down and is operative tocause the actuator assembly to actuate said first and second catches inresponse to the cartridge casing engaging the drop tube and moving thedrop tube.
 3. The automatic bullet feeding mechanism of claim 2 whereinthe drop tube is driven up by the cartridge casing being moved into aposition to receive a bullet from the automatic bullet feedingmechanism.
 4. The automatic bullet feeding mechanism of claim 1 whereinthe drop tube is moveably supported on a base and extends through aportion of the base and is further moveably mounted for movement up anddown with respect to the base; and wherein the drop tube is adapted tobe engaged by a cartridge casing such that the engagement results in thedrop tube being moved with respect to the base resulting in the actuatorassembly actuating the first and second catches.
 5. The automatic bulletfeeding mechanism of claim 1 wherein the drop tube for receiving andholding the stack of bullets is axially moveable and wherein theactuator assembly is operative to actuate the first and second catchesin response to the drop tube axially moving.
 6. The automatic bulletfeeding mechanism of claim 1 wherein the drop tube is axially moveablewithin an outer sleeve and includes a terminal end that is engageable bythe cartridge casing and wherein the drop tube is operative to move inresponse to the cartridge casing engaging the same; and wherein theactuator assembly is operative to actuate the first and second catchesin response to the drop tube moving within the outer sleeve.
 7. A methodof automatically feeding one bullet at a time from a drop tube into acartridge casing comprising: a. holding a stack of bullets within thedrop tube; b. supporting the lowermost bullet with a moveable catch; c.engaging the drop tube with a cartridge casing to be filled and movingthe cartridge casing so as to result in the drop tube being moved; d.moving a connector connected to a lever arm along a member fixedrelative to the drop tube as the drop tube is moved; and e. wherein theconnector acts to move the lever arm as the connector moves along thefixed member and wherein the lever arm is operative to disengage thelower catch in response to the connector moving along the fixed memberand moving the lever arm, whereby the disengagement of the lower catchresults in a bullet falling down the drop tube into the underlyingcartridge casing.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the drop tube ismoveable within a base and wherein the member fixed relative to the droptube is fixed to and supported by the base.
 9. The method of claim 7wherein the fixed member includes a rod and wherein the connectorextends around the rod and moves along the rod as the drop tube ismoved.
 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the lever arm and the lowercatch form an integral member and wherein the connector is connected tothe integral member and extends around the fixed member such that as thedrop tube is moved the connector moves along the fixed member and isoperative to move the integral member, including the lower catch, backand forth.
 11. A cartridge casing reloading machine comprising arotatable cartridge casing plate for receiving and holding at least onecartridge casing; and a cartridge casing stabilizer mounted adjacentsaid cartridge casing plate for engaging and stabilizing a cartridgecasing carried by the plate as the plate is rotated.
 12. The cartridgecasing reloading machine of claim 11 wherein the plate includes at leastone seat for receiving a cartridge casing, the seat including a supportsurface and a wall; and wherein the cartridge casing includes a base andwherein the area of the support surface of the seat is greater than thearea of the base of the cartridge casing; and wherein the stabilizeracts to urge the cartridge casing against the wall of the seat as thecartridge casing plate is rotated and as the stabilizer engages thecartridge casing.
 13. The cartridge casing reloading machine of claim 11wherein the stabilizer extends around only a portion of the rotatablecartridge casing plate.
 14. The cartridge casing reloading machine ofclaim 13 wherein the stabilizer includes a wire that is supported in thepath of the cartridge casing as it rotates with the cartridge casingplate such that the wire engages the cartridge casing during a portionof a cycle of the cartridge casing plate.
 15. The cartridge casingreloading machine of claim 11 wherein the stabilizer includes a membersupported adjacent the rotating cartridge casing plate such that themember lies in the path of the cartridge casing as the cartridge casingrotates with the rotatable plate, and wherein the engagement of themember with the cartridge casing stabilizes the cartridge casing. 16.The cartridge casing reloading machine of claim 11 wherein thestabilizer includes a wire adjacent the rotatable cartridge casing platefor engaging the cartridge casing during at least a portion of the cycleof the rotatable cartridge casing plate.
 17. The cartridge casingreloading machine of claim 16 wherein the wire includes a generallycurved segment that engages the cartridge casing as the cartridge casingrotates with the rotatable plate.
 18. The cartridge casing reloadingmachine of claim 1 including a frame disposed adjacent the rotatingcartridge casing plate, and wherein the stabilizer includes a wiresecured to the frame and projecting from the frame over at least aportion of the rotating plate such that a portion of the wire engagesthe cartridge casing as it rotates with the rotating plate.
 19. Thecartridge casing reloading machine of claim 16 wherein the rotatingplate includes at least one seat for receiving the cartridge casing andwherein the seat includes a support surface and a wall and wherein thewire acts to engage the cartridge casing as it rotates by the wire suchthat the wire tends to urge the cartridge casing against the wall of theseat underlying the cartridge casing.
 20. The cartridge casing reloadingmachine of claim 19 wherein the cartridge casing includes a base andwherein the area of the support surface of the seat is greater than thearea of the base such that the cartridge casing can move at leastslightly within the seat.
 21. The cartridge casing reloading machine ofclaim 11 wherein the cartridge casing stationed on the plate rotatesbetween a first position where a bullet is inserted into the cartridgecasing and a second position where the cartridge casing is crimped so asto secure the bullet within the cartridge casing, and wherein thestabilizer is positioned with respect to the rotatable plate such thatthe cartridge casing is stabilized during a portion of its movementbetween the first and second position.